Unity and Diversity in the Reformed Tradition

This outstanding collection of essays illustrates unity and
diversity in the Reformed tradition on a wide scale. With special emphasis on
Reformers such as Calvin, Bullinger, and Vermigli, Campi does not simply
regurgitate the work of others (such as Richard Muller and David Steinmetz) on
this subject. He uses hitherto neglected resources, such as Vermigli’s book of
prayers and Beza’s correspondence with Bullinger, to show how Reformed authors
interacted with one another as they sought theological unity and consensus.
This book will be useful to all who desire a broad contextual study of the
shaping of Reformed theology in the early orthodox period.

Some of the best articles, in this reviewer’s opinion,
include the analysis of the Consensus
Tigurinus, Calvin’s impact on and relation to other Swiss Reformed churches,
and the influence of the conversion story of Galeazzo Caracciolo on English
Puritanism. The Consensus illustrates
how early Reformers such as Calvin and Bullinger were willing to debate
theological issues in pursuit of theological and ecclesiastical unity. Through
this process, the Consensus resulted
in a large measure of uniformity in Reformed views of Christ’s presence in the
Lord’s Supper for generations to come. This chapter is thought provoking and
provides a model for proper theological debate and biblical ecumenicity, since
Calvin (albeit unsuccessfully) continually tried to involve Lutherans in these
debates. The story of Galeazzo Caracciolo is a juicy conversion story of a
prominent Italian aristocrat who turned Protestant and fled to Geneva. His
story became a paradigmatic example of leaving all to follow Christ among
English Puritans. The disturbing side of this story is that Caracciolo
abandoned his wife and children to do so and that the Genevan authorities
permitted him to remarry after his questionable divorce. This illustrates the
fact that it is unwise to idealize any period in church history. Even our
heroes often have clay feet.

All of these articles originated as conference presentations
and all of them have appeared in print before. While some readers will consider
this a disadvantage, others (like this reviewer) will be grateful to have these
materials collected in one volume instead of lost in over a dozen multi-author
works. Campi is an internationally respected scholar who is published in English,
French, Italian, and German. This volume makes his valuable research accessible
to English students of historical theology.

This review will appear in the January 2015 edition of the Puritan Reformed Journal.